Director of Technology (Polymer)

Director of Polymer Technology

Location:

Experience:

About Zerocircle

Zerocircle is reimagining the material world. We create next-generation packaging and coatings from seaweed and other regenerative natural sources — designed for performance, affordability, and real industry adoption. Our work replaces conventional plastics with materials that are truly ocean-safe, compostable, and scalable for global impact.

Director of Polymer Technology

What You’ll Do

• Lead Advanced Polymer R&D:

  Oversee the formulation, synthesis, and characterization of new materials derived from natural polymers, with a focus on mechanical strength, moisture resistance, and sealability.

• Drive Scale-Up and Tech Transfer:

  Translate lab-scale breakthroughs into scalable, commercially viable manufacturing processes. Establish process controls, documentation, and validation protocols.

• Integrate Chemistry and Engineering:

  Bridge bench chemistry with process engineering to ensure reproducibility, performance consistency, and manufacturability.

• Guide and Mentor a High-Performing Team:

  Lead a diverse team of scientists, chemists, and PhDs across material science, biopolymers, and packaging. Build an innovation culture grounded in rigor, curiosity, and shared purpose.

• Collaborate Cross-Functionally:

  Partner with design, sustainability, and business teams to align R&D direction with product and market goals.

• Own External Collaborations:

  Liaise with research institutions, technical partners, and manufacturing collaborators to accelerate development timelines.

• Establish Global Standards:

  Build a materials roadmap that positions Zerocircle at the forefront of bio-based technology, with clear technical benchmarks for performance, circularity, and compliance.

Who You Are

• Scientist to Builder:

  You began your journey in the lab — with a strong grounding in polymer chemistry, formulation, and testing — and evolved into a leader who drives engineering execution and technology transfer.

• Natural Polymer Expert:

  Deep experience with polysaccharides, proteins, gums, or other natural polymer systems, including modification, blending, and film/coating development.

• Scale-Up Proven:

  Demonstrated success in taking material innovations from concept (0) to production (1), ideally in bio-based packaging, coatings, or advanced materials.

• Engineering-Fluent:

  Strong understanding of pilot-scale and industrial-scale process design, including drying, extrusion, coating, and film casting technologies.

• Leadership-Driven:

  At least 5 years leading technical teams — with a track record of motivating scientists to achieve at the intersection of purpose and performance.

• Mission-Led:

  You believe material innovation can drive environmental restoration and want your work to create measurable, global impact.

Why Zerocircle

You’ll be part of a company redefining what’s possible with nature-based materials — where the lab connects directly to the ocean, and every formulation has a purpose beyond performance.

You’ll build not just materials, but the foundation of a new material economy.